The first year of his big new contract meant a big spike in minutes and responsibility were required. And they came. As Johnson’s usage rate went up four points, his turnover percentage went down six, and his assists went up by nearly three. Johnson improved his handle, his probing, his pick-and-roll playmaking, his ability to get to the rim, and his overall efficiency on the ball, and has become a good combo guard, the perfect third wheel in a three-guard rotation, and a solid starter in the right situation.

Player Plan: Three years and a shade under $44.5 million, with the enormous salary spike due to his Arenas-rule matching coming after the upcoming season, when he will be paid only $5,881,260. The huge spike will affect trade value, but he is probably worth keep-ing throughout the life of the deal, rendering that moot anyway.

Tyler Johnson - As a senior at Fresno State, the 6'4 Johnson was asked to do a bit of everything. And he did, to the tune of 15.8 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game, shooting 46.5% from the field and 43.8% from three. Although he led the team in scoring, Johnson didn't dominate the ball to get those points - the Bulldogs were a fairly high scoring and fast paced team who used multiple ball handlers and player movement to get good looks for multiple perimeter offensive weapons. But Johnson was the best of the bunch, a very discipline high IQ and athletic player who picks spots, makes good passes, sells fakes to open up both the J and the drive, and plays within his limitations. He also crashes the glass hard, and can absolutely sky for his size. Johnson is small for a two guard - even the 6'4 seems a bit generous - and he has no one stand-out facet to his game, but if Chris Babb is projectable as a shooting guard role player, so is Tyler.